Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice has been a vastly experienced campaigner who now brings in his expertise to the A1GP United States of America Team. Buddy started racing professionally at the age of 12, at the IKF Region 7 championships. Between 1988- 94, he grabbed 7 Kart titles and began a bright and prospering career.

Continuing his tryst with Karting, Rice went onto the Grand National Championships and in 1996, was crowned, twice, the champion of the International Karting Federation's Grand National Championships. He also drove in one race at the US Formula 2000 series and finished eighth in the race. In a Dodge Shelby Pro series race that he participated in, in Las Vegas, he qualified at pole position and went on to win the race. In 1997, Buddy was a full time participant at the US Formula 2000 series and in that season, he won one race and finished fourth in the overall season's standings. This result got him a priceless opportunity to be a part of the Valvoline USA racing team on a scholarship.

In 1998, he got into the Toyota Atlantic Championships and in his first race of the season he grabbed the pole position to mark his entry into the arena. With one win under his belt, he finished his rookie season in 7th place and also won the Giles Villeneuve trophy for his sensation debut. In his second season in the championships, he improved on his standings and came fifth but it wasn't until 2000 that he actually won the championship. With DSTP Sports, he grabbed five wins on his way to his first Toyota Atlantic Championships.

After a lean 2001 season, Buddy went into the Indy Racing League in 2002 and in his first race, he qualified second and finished in the same spot. He got four top-ten finishes along with two top-five finishes in just five race starts. In 2003, he ran his first full season and came 16th in the standings with Red Bull Cheever Racing. With four top-ten finishes, he set an IRL record of finishing the most number of races without a "Did Not Finish" (DNF) against his name. In his Indianapolis 500 debut, he finished in 11th spot in a Chevrolet. He took part in the Ford 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Race for a single race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway and after starting at 33rd place, in a reserve truck, he ended the race in 20th.

In 2004, he signed with Rahal Letterman Racing and won the Indy 500 after starting from pole position. In the Indy Racing League, he finished 3rd overall after a much better season in terms of wins. He won two races and had four pole positions but it was his consistency in finishing in the higher levels that let him grab third position.

With 5 top-five placed finishes and with 10 top-tens, Buddy was 15th in the overall standings of the 2005 IndyCar series. A disappointing season compared to his last, he could do no better in 2006 either. Rice finished 15th for the second year in a row and had two top-five finishes only. He took part in the Rolex 24-hours at Daytona and came 9th while in the Grand Am Daytona Prototype, he took part with Brumos Racing and finished 7th.

In 2007, he finished 9th in the IRL along with a new team, Dreyer and Reinbold Racing. He had 11 top-ten finishes and 3 top-fives through the season.

In the 2008-09 season, Rice will be driving for the A1 Team USA's Holdings-sponsored car co-owned by Rick Weidinger. He will be hoping for a better season with the team in the new A1GP Year.